Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram
Brigadier General Henry A. Byroade to Mr. Walter S. Robertson, at Peiping
685. Held long conference with Chou En-lai yesterday with negative results to obtain agreement on freedom of team movement paper hand carried by Captain Young back to Peiping. He submitted as an alternate a 6-point document for agreement which was apparently worked up in conjunction with General Sung and may be presented by him for discussion in Executive Headquarters. In conference this afternoon Chou En-lai requested Marshall to consider his 6-point paper in preference to that submitted by me. Marshall informed him that he considered his proposal to be unworkable and, in a most emphatic manner, presented many of our grievances against Communist attitude and action during the past several weeks. He requested Chou En-lai to reconsider seriously the proposal submitted by me. If the 6-point program is submitted for decision in Peiping, Marshall desires you state that it is unacceptable to him.
In this same conference Chou En-lai stated that he agreed that that amount of money recently approved by the Central Government for the Canton evacuation was sufficient and that any additional needed could be provided by the Communist Party. General Marshall informed him that he had just held a conference with Admiral Cooke and that the shipping for this move could not be held beyond May 20. He stated that there was no point in further negotiations and that if the Communists desired evacuation it must be before May 20.
There is considerable discussion here with both sides claiming violations by the other side in the area immediately north of the Yangtze River between points approximately north of Nanking to Nantung north of Shanghai. The National Government representative of the Committee of Three has requested team investigation. Chou En-lai requested that a special committee be dispatched to that area. We do not know here the exact location or occupation at the present time of team 17. Marshall has indicated his desire of having investigation in that area. Recommend therefore that you send team 17 to [Page 843] that area without delay if practicable. He also considers it desirable that a special committee from Executive Headquarters visit this area. Cannot judge from here but Middleton61 might be spared as the American member of this committee. Please inform if above is possible or if you have an alternate suggestion.
Chou En-lai sees Marshall again tomorrow afternoon. Marshall has withdrawn from negotiations on the Manchurian situation. The details of this aspect are too complicated to convey by radio message. No immediate solution is in sight. There is no lack of awareness here however that the solution must come within the next few days. I do not know when Marshall will release me to return to Peiping but am hoping to return Wednesday.
- Col. J. W. Middleton, U. S. Army.↩